Last weekend I performed a wedding. The young couple exchanged vows on top of a mountain in Colorado, a beautiful setting to celebrate the start of their life together.

I always enjoy reading lines from 1 Corinthians 13 at a wedding. Here’s a few verses you’ll recognize: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I also pointed out a verse found later in that same chapter: When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I grew up, I put childish ways behind me. I encouraged the bride and groom to think through the words again, this time in light of their adulthood.

Love is patient. Your patience will be tested in marriage in ways you cannot imagine. Little things will annoy you. Ask God to help you love patiently.

Love is kind. When you argue, you will be tempted to be harsh in your words and uncaring in your hearts. In those times, ask God to make you kind-hearted toward each other.

Love keeps no record of wrongs. You will be tempted to keep a scoreboard, one showing your wonderfulness (your wins) and your spouse’s cluelessness (their losses). Don’t keep score. Ask the Lord for love that wipes your scoreboard clean.

I tried to move from flowery feelings to the reality of living with someone for years. This is not a pie in the sky passage—it’s a hard work passage. I encouraged my young friends to read 1 Corinthians 13 often. Memorize it, pray through it and ask the Lord to make it true in their lives.

The same goes for you and me. These words guide not just married life but all of adult life. Hitched to someone or not, these are remarkably potent words to guide our lives and relationships.

1 Corinthians 13

Photo: Background of this wedding in the mountains